The United States and its allies must act to stop Iran's nuclear programs -- by force if necessary -- because conventional diplomacy will not work, three senior Israeli lawmakers from across the political spectrum warned yesterday. As a last resort, they said, Israel itself would act unilaterally to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear arms. Iran will not be deterred "by anything short of a threat of force," said Arieh Eldad, a member of Israel's right-wing National Union Party, part of a delegation of Knesset members visiting Washington this week. "They won't be stopped unless they are convinced their programs will be destroyed if they continue," he said. Yuval Steinitz, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said the best hope was for the United States and other major powers to make it clear to Iranian leaders now there was "no chance they will ever see the fruits of a nuclear program." "Threats of sanctions and isolation alone will not do it," said Mr. Steinitz. Yosef Lapid, head of the centrist opposition Shinui Party in the Knesset, added that Israel "will not live under the threat of an Iranian nuclear bomb."

Yep. It's getting to the point where it's become obvious that the UN has once again failed to resolve a crisis situation with their "diplomacy". Israel has the most to lose if Iran gets nukes. The mullahs must be stopped or Israel & Iran will start lobbing nukes at each other.

6
posted on 09/30/2005 6:09:23 AM PDT
by softwarecreator
(Facts are to liberals as holy water is to vampires.)

"Avoiding speaking the truth does not mean you can then avoid facing the consequences of those facts," he said.

Israel knows it is the prime target of Iran and Ahmedinejad. I would rather the U.S. take action, but I am beginning to have my doubts as to our political will (at least based on what the administration is saying).

On the other hand, Iraq might have been a first step toward moving against Iran. With a regime change in Iran, Iraq would have a much better chance of success and Israel would be able to breathe for a while. But with the Revolutionary guard firmly in the grasp of Ahmedinejad, I don't see an internal rebellion succeeding without external military action.

8
posted on 09/30/2005 6:20:05 AM PDT
by Dark Skies
("The only way to find yourself is in the fires of sorrow." -- Oswald Chambers)

I'm sorry to say we don't have the will. There are too many country club PUBS around Bush now. Iraq is tough right now and everyone is nervous, congress won't control spending, border control is a joke and a huge SCOTUS nominee battle is about to be fought.

As in the past Israel stands alone.

10
posted on 09/30/2005 6:42:50 AM PDT
by wmfights
(lead, follow, or get out of the way)

Israel will not act alone. This interview and visit did not happen by accident. You'll notice the studied lack of comment from the Department of State and the White House?

They know what the IDF knows, if not more.

When it happens, it will be a joint operation, probably involving massive air assets from the 509th Bomb Wing, the IDF, and American tactical air. There are a lot of targets that need to be struck at once and in a single day. It will have to be a surprise attack.

Why tell US and not do it on their own? Israel with one of the world's best Air Force, and it should be a piece of cake to do it on their own even without the help of US. America won't intervene, and will wave hands as they pass over Iraq.

The problem is how do you take out the reactor and the accompanying underground facilities without killing Iranian civilians. The object of the exercise is to humiliate the Government, leaving it looking weak and foolish before the people while leaving the people alive to draw their own conclusions. The ayatollahs must be left to look oafish and bloviating in their anger and bluster. Civilian casualties and damage must be kept to an absolute minimum.

There will be a nationalist rallying to the flag, but after a while, it will sputter.

Just guessing, of course, but I think the taking out of the nukes would present an opportunity for getting rid of the entire hardline government. And as long as Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollahs are in power, they are going to threaten Iraq. In fact, when we leave Iraq, I think they will slide in (unless they are gone).

22
posted on 09/30/2005 9:04:47 AM PDT
by Dark Skies
("The only way to find yourself is in the fires of sorrow." -- Oswald Chambers)

"Yep, they will not stop. To do otherwise would be disobedient to Allah. The guiding principles of Allah and his prophet are "hate" and "destruction."

Very good points. In addition, the current Iranian régime has Mahdi fever

Once the demented anti-Western mindset of the Iranian dictatorship is really studied the question should be asked, why are these lunatics remaining in power, knowing these jihad promoting tyrants are a menace to the global economic security.

In examining the "Mahdi", 'the one who shall bring forth justice' the gruesome terrorist goals of the enemy become much clearer.

The jihadic enemy's ultimate end result is to "cleanse" the entire globe of all "infidels" and then their 'Expected One' (The Mahadi) can emerge, thus Islamic terrorist financing OPEC Iran, with an offensive nuclear arsenal, is the civilized world's greatest security threat. A threat which must be countered expeditiously.

Ardent fundamentalist Islamists, as a rule, will not disuse anything regarding the Mahdi with "infidels'.

One movie depicting a Mahdi figure during the 1880's in The Sudan was the 1966 Cinerama epic "Khartoum" with a fine cast as well as the film's moving orchestral suite.

Islam is founded on hatred and destruction of the true children of Abraham. And as much as some Jews hate it...the redheaded stepchildren of Abraham (the Christians) are right there with 'em, and we ain't leaving til the fat lady sings.

38
posted on 09/30/2005 6:31:27 PM PDT
by Dark Skies
("The only way to find yourself is in the fires of sorrow." -- Oswald Chambers)

This Jewboy know the righteous Christian Evangelicals got our backs! Even if so many of my fellow Jews don't get it or like it. Just adds to the beauty of the situation and solution. The solution (end game) will be too much for anyone to handle on a rational basis

39
posted on 09/30/2005 6:37:45 PM PDT
by dennisw
(You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you - Bob Dylan)

Just adds to the beauty of the situation and solution. The solution (end game) will be too much for anyone to handle on a rational basis.

I know in my bones you are correct. Like modern art, I know what is really great...but I can't say why. What is coming is a beautiful thing...but I think we (at least, I) will just sit and admire its awesomeness.

41
posted on 09/30/2005 7:01:36 PM PDT
by Dark Skies
("The only way to find yourself is in the fires of sorrow." -- Oswald Chambers)

Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.